Stirring device for increasing capacity of trash bin

ABSTRACT

This invention discloses a stirring device for increasing the capacity of a trash bin. The lower portion of the trash bin has a stirring device that can stir shredded paper. The stirring device includes an actuator and a comoving element. The actuator is pivotally connected with the trash bin, with the pivotal point as the connecting position. The comoving element is fixed on the actuator and moves synchronously with it. When a force is imposed on the actuator, the comoving element performs a reciprocal motion using the pivotal axis as the supporting point. The comoving element stirs and flattens the shredded paper, thereby reducing the space between shredded paper and increasing the capacity of the trash bin.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This application claims priority to Foreign Application No. 096213086 filed in Taiwan, R.O.C., on Aug. 9, 2007.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The invention relates to a trash bin of a shredder and in particular, to a stirring device that can increase the capacity of the trash bin. Through the motion of a stirring device, the gaps between shredded pieces of paper can be reduced thus increasing the capacity of trash bin.

2. Related Art

As is well known, the action principle of a shredder for shredding paper is to dispose several cutting blades on two rotary shafts with spacers in between. A motor and a gear box are employed to drive the two parallel rotary shafts that rotate in opposite directions. They provide a shearing force on passing paper to cut it into small strips.

According to the mechanical cutting type, shredders can be classified as strip-cut shredders and cross-cut shredders. For strip-cut shredders, the cutting blades are disposed regularly on the rotary shafts and cut the paper along the longitudinal direction into long strips. For cross-cut shredders, each blade has several hook-shaped cutting edges. The blades are disposed in a spiral configuration on the rotary shafts. For such cross-cut shredders, the paper is not only cut along the longitudinal direction into strips, but also cut in the transverse direction into paper chips.

The strip-cut and cross-cut shredders are usually sold with a trash basket or bin for accommodating the shredded paper. As described above, the cutting blades on two parallel and oppositely rotating cutting shafts are driven by motor and gear box to cut paper passing through them. The paper strips or chips then fall into the trash bin via a paper outlet at the bottom of the shredder. The paper chips that accumulate underneath the paper outlet, typically form a mound or mountain shape. Once the chip mound reaches a height close to the bottom of the paper outlet, it may prevent subsequent paper chips from falling into the trash bin. The paper chips may also draw back into the shredding mechanism and jam in the spaces between the blades, thus affecting the normal operation of the shredder.

To resolve this problem, a user need only stir and/or put pressure on the randomly accumulated paper chips. This leads to an increase in the capacity of the trash bin, so that the user does not need to empty it frequently. In addition, it can prevent paper jams from paper chips being pulled back into the blades.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An objective of the invention is to provide a stirring device that enables its user to stir and flatten shredded paper chips through a cycling action. This can effectively reduce the space between the paper chips, thus increasing the capacity of trash bin.

Another objective is to provide a stirring device that enables its user to stir and flatten shredded paper chips through a cycling action. The chip mound is thus flattened so as to not block subsequently falling chips. This also prevent paper jams in the blades.

To achieve the above-mentioned objectives, the disclosed stirring device for increasing the capacity of trash bin has a stirring device disposed in the lower portion of the trash bin near the bottom for stirring the paper chips. The stirring device includes an actuator and a comoving element. The actuator is pivotally connected with the trash bin, using the connecting point as the pivot point. The comoving element is fixed on the actuator and moves synchronously with the actuator. When a force is imposed on the actuator, the comoving element performs a reciprocal motion using the pivotal axis as the pivot point. The comoving element stirs and flattens the paper chips so as to reduce the space between the chips, thus increasing the capacity of trash bin.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given herein below. The following drawings are for illustration only, and thus should not limit the scope of the present invention:

FIG. 1 shows the structure of the first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the first embodiment;

FIG. 3 shows the structure of the second embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the second embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein the same references relate to the same elements.

Please refer to FIG. 1 for the structural diagram of the first embodiment of the invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the first embodiment. In the lower portion of the trash bin near the bottom, a stirring device is provided for stirring paper chips up and downs. The stirring device includes an actuator and a comoving element.

In this embodiment, the actuator is a pedal 1, and the comoving element is a stirring rod 2 fixed on the pedal 1. The pedal 1 and the trash bin 3 are connected via a first pivotal axis 4, using the connection point as the pivot point.

In practice, when the user steps on the pedal, the actuator synchronously drives the comoving element to perform a reciprocal motion with respect to the pivot point. In other words, imposing a force on the pedal 1 directly moves the stirring rod 2 into an up-and-down reciprocal motion. The paper chips are continuously stirred and flattened to reduce gaps. Accordingly, the capacity of trash bin is increased.

Please refer to FIG. 3 for the structural diagram of the second embodiment of the invention and to FIG. 4 for the cross-sectional view thereof. A stirring device is disposed in the lower portion of the trash bin near the bottom for stirring paper chips up and downs. The stirring device includes an actuator and a comoving element.

In this embodiment, the actuator is a pedal 1 and the comoving element is a link lever mechanism. The pedal 1 and the trash bin 3 are connected via a first pivotal axis 4, using the connecting point as its first pivot point. The fixed end of a first link lever 21 is connected with the pedal 1. Its free end is connected with a stroke limiting groove 221 of a second link lever 22 via a second pivotal axis 41, using the connecting point as a second pivot point. The fixed end of a second link lever 22 is connected to the interior bottom 31 of the trash bin via a third pivotal axis 42, using the connecting point as a third pivot point. The free end of the second link lever is connected with the stirring rod 2.

In practice, when the user steps on the pedal, the actuator drives the comoving element to perform an up-and-down reciprocal motion using the pivotal axis as the pivot point. That is, imposing a force on the pedal 1 drives the first link lever 21 to move upward using the first pivotal axis 4 as the pivot point. The second link lever 22 moves upward concurrently with the first link lever 21 using the second pivotal axis 41 and the third pivotal axis 42 as the pivot points. As the stirring rod 2 is driven upwards, the paper chips are stirred. Repeating the above-described motion stirs and flattens the paper chips, thereby reducing gaps and increasing the capacity of trash bin.

Although the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, this description is not meant to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments, as well as alternative embodiments, will be apparent to persons skilled in the art. It is, therefore, contemplated that the appended claims will cover all modifications that fall within the true scope of the invention. 

1. A stirring device disposed in a trash bin for stirring and flattening paper chips comprising: an actuator; and a comoving element, which is pivotally connected with said actuator so as to move synchronously with the actuator.
 2. The stirring device of claim 1, wherein said actuator is a pedal.
 3. The stirring device of claim 1, wherein said comoving element is a stirring element.
 4. The stirring device of claim 3, wherein said stirring element is a stirring rod.
 5. The stirring device of claim 1, wherein said comoving element performs an up-and-down reciprocal motion concurrently with said actuator using a pivotal axis as the pivot point.
 6. The stirring device of claim 1, wherein said comoving element is a link lever mechanism.
 7. The stirring device of claim 6, wherein said link lever mechanism includes a first link lever and a second link lever.
 8. The stirring device of claim 7, wherein the fixed end of said first link lever is connected with said actuator, the free end of said first link lever is connected with a stroke limiting groove of said second link lever via the pivotal axis, the fixed end of said second link lever is pivotally connected to the interior bottom of the trash bin, and the free end of said second link lever is connected with the stirring rod. 